Antique Nihonto Katana Attributed to Sukemitsu NTHK Kanteisho Certificate

Authentic Nihontō Japanese Sword Katana Attributed to Bizen no kuni Ichimonji Sukemitsu 備前国吉岡一文字助光 NTHK Kanteisho Certificate

This sword is attributed to 吉岡一文字助光 (Yoshioka Ichimonji Sukemitsu) by the 日本刀剣保存会 (Nihon Token Hozon Kai) and to 畠田光守 (Hatakeda Mitsumori) by the Kurashiki Sword Museum.

The 吉岡一文字派 (Yoshioka Ichimonji school) was a group of swordsmiths who worked in Yoshioka, Akaiwa District (now Kume District, Okayama Prefecture) on the left bank of the Yoshii River. The founder of this school was 助吉 (Sukeyoshi), and his descendants used the character "助" (Suke) at the beginning of their names. 助光 (Sukemitsu) is said to be the grandson or great-grandson of the founder, Sukeyoshi, and is a well-known representative master of the school. Sukemitsu's style is characterized by "nioi-deki" (where the nioi covers the entire hamon), with wide, large choji-midare or o-choji-midare hamon. The jigane (steel) shows fine mokume hada with ji-nie and prominent midare utsuri. Sukemitsu is known for his long inscriptions such as "一 備前国吉岡住左近将監紀助光" (Ichi Bizen no Kuni Yoshioka ju Sakon Shogen Sukemitsu) and his rank as Sakon Shogen. His notable works include a naginata dated to Gen'o 2 and a tachi dated to Genkyo 2, both designated as National Treasures.

The 畠田派 (Hatakeda school) was a group of swordsmiths in Bizen Province (southeastern Okayama Prefecture) during the Kamakura period. They specialized in vibrant choji-midare hamon, similar to the styles of the Osafune and Ichimonji schools that flourished in the same region. 光守 (Mitsumori) was a smith from this school, and there are very few existing signed works by him. His notable works include a tachi passed down through the Hotta family and a ko-tachi with a folded inscription from the Akimoto family, both designated as Important Cultural Properties. These works exhibit wide, vibrant choji-midare hamon in nioi-deki, demonstrating a splendid style.

Although this sword has been significantly shortened, it still retains its elegant and slender shape. The steel is a mix of ko-itame and mokume hada. The hamon features a gentle and soft choji-midare with gunome and ko-choji, incorporating kinsuji and showing a variety of patterns. The boshi is slightly irregular on the omote side and straight with a rounded tip on the ura side, with eight small nicks visible on the mune, indicating it has seen combat.

The accompanying koshirae was recently commissioned by an enthusiast, using period fittings. When unsheathed and handled, the sword feels well-balanced with the center of gravity towards the hand, making it very light. There is no looseness in the handle.

In my opinion, this sword seems to resemble the work of 三条吉則 (Sanjo Yoshinori), a famous smith from the late Nanbokucho to early Muromachi period, rather than from the late Kamakura period. It would be interesting to see the appraisal results from the Nihon Bijutsu Token Hozon Kyokai after further polishing for museum-grade appreciation.

Bare weight: 527 grams.
Weight with koshirae and without saya: 793 grams.

Nihontō Information